Mayor Eric Adams and NYC Health + Hospitals CEO Dr. Mitchell Katz have announced an expansion of the city’s medical respite program, providing additional short-term housing and medical care for homeless individuals recovering from major health events.

The initiative, which adds 24 new beds, will allow 100 more patients annually to receive care beyond hospital settings, improving health outcomes and reducing hospital stays.

The medical respite program offers a safe place for medically vulnerable individuals to recover, with access to wound care, wellness checks, physical therapy, and intensive housing case management to assist in securing stable housing.

Studies show that patients discharged to respite facilities experience better health outcomes than those sent directly to shelters.

Mayor Adams emphasized that this expansion aligns with his administration’s broader housing and healthcare goals. “Ensuring medically fragile New Yorkers have a safe place to heal while also connecting them to housing resources is critical to making New York City safer, healthier, and more affordable,” Adams said.

Since its inception, the program has served over 1,400 patients, with nearly 360 successfully transitioning into stable housing. The expansion is part of NYC’s “Housing Our Neighbors” plan, which integrates healthcare and housing solutions for those experiencing homelessness.

NYC Health + Hospitals remains the largest provider of medical respite care in New York State, with 75 beds now available. The initiative is expected to further reduce hospitalization lengths and emergency department visits while promoting long-term housing stability.